Mercedes says the new powerplant will produce around 560kW, with nearly 450 of those killer wasps coming from the turbo V6 and the rest from an electric Energy Recovery System (ERS).

The ERS features two electric motors, the first designed to recover electrical energy during braking, storing it in a lithium-ion battery. The second recovers energy from exhaust gases, and can also keep the turbo spooled to reduce lag at lower revs.

The engine has a maximum rev limit of 15,000rpm and a single turbocharger spinning at speeds of up to 125,000rpm.

Red Bull confirms Hungaroring meeting was about Alonso

Red Bull has confirmed a meeting about Fernando Alonso took place with the Ferrari driver's manager at the Hungaroring last weekend.

Initially, the sensational story of a potential move to Red Bull for the two-time world champion was dismissed by some, as Alonso's manager Luis Garcia Abad also handles the career of rising Red Bull-backed youngster Carlos Sainz jr.

But when told his meeting with Garcia was obviously simply about the 18-year-old Sainz, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Sport Bild: "Nonsense.

"Why would I talk to him about Sainz jr, who has long been in the Red Bull junior team?"

Sainz jr drives for the GP3 team MW Arden, a collaboration between Mark Webber and Horner.

Clearly, Garcia and Horner might have something to talk about other than Alonso, but Red Bull is not hiding the fact the Hungaroring meeting was about Ferrari's number 1.

"I can't remember if we talked about Red Bull or Spanish red wine," a mischievous Dr Helmut Marko, the head of Red Bull's driver programme, told German television Sky.

With Australian Webber heading to Le Mans, Red Bull is weighing up a new teammate for Sebastian Vettel next year.

Earlier, although Kimi Raikkonen is also still in the running, it was believed Daniel Ricciardo had sped into pole position for the seat.

But Horner insists: "We have never been under pressure to take one of the junior drivers.

"We have won the world championships for the past three years, and we want to ensure we can carry on doing so in the future."

Nothing has been heard from Alonso's manager Garcia since the Hungaroring meeting, but still involved in the 32-year-old's driver career is the former Renault boss Flavio Briatore.

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "He has a contract and contracts must be respected.

"Alonso has never said he wants to leave."

(GMM)

Vergne 'very happy' to stay at Toro Rosso

Jean-Eric Vergne has admitted being left out of Red Bull's plans initially left him "upset".

Earlier in the running to replace the Le Mans-bound Mark Webber, Red Bull made clear Vergne's fading candidature when only Toro Rosso teammate Daniel Ricciardo was called up to test the title-leading RB9 recently at Silverstone.

"I was a little upset that it was him and not me, which is a normal reaction," the Frenchman told the French magazine Auto Plus.

"But then the leaders of Red Bull explained things clearly to me.

"Daniel has more experience in F1 than me, so it's part of the logical process.

"I had a long discussion with the management of Red Bull Racing and everything is now very clear between us.

"I do not need to read the news to find out what they think of me.

"But then there is what is said in the media, and as a result there is a wave of negative consequences, including what Christian Horner said that was misinterpreted."

Red Bull's development programmes are known to be harsh, with drivers often discarded after a couple of years of support.

But the energy drink company has made clear that Vergne will minimally keep his place at Toro Rosso in 2014.

Vergne agreed: "I would be very happy to continue with Toro Rosso in 2014. There is an interesting challenge with the new technical regulations and the arrival of the Renault engine.

"On the other hand, I would be lying to say that the opportunity to take Mark's seat is not in a corner of my mind. I still have my chance and I'll push hard for it."

He said the paddock perception that he is definitely out of the running is not necessarily true.

"If there's one thing I've learned about formula one," said Vergne, "it's that the truth of one day is not necessarily that of the next.

"A series of good or bad results, and things can change very quickly, in any direction.

"I know exactly what I have to do," the 23-year-old added.

(GMM)

Russia to claim 'force majeure' for late FIA application

Russia's hopes of holding its inaugural grand prix next year may rest on officials being able to convince the FIA its application was lodged late due to 'force majeure'.

Due to a conflict between race organiser Omega and the Russian automobile federation (RAF), the July 31 deadline for the official 2014 application to be lodged to F1's governing body was missed.

An email to RAF from the FIA has emerged, in which RAF is told the deadline must be respected "except in the case of force majeure".

But a FIA spokeswoman told the Ria Novosti news agency that missing the deadline does not necessarily mean the Russian grand prix will not be held.

Indeed, RAF executive director Sergei Ivanov confirmed that the application will be filed "in the force majeure format ... as soon as the promoter fulfils its obligations".

According to RAF's vice president Igor Yermilin, however, it will be up to the FIA whether the late application is accepted.

"Of course it (the reason for missing the deadline) is not force majeure," he told Russia's f1news.ru. "This is our internal problem.

"But, most of all, there will not be very serious difficulties with the inclusion of the race in the calendar, because the Russian grand prix is important for everybody, from the country's leadership to the fans.

"What is important is that the promoter understands that the grand prix is not something that can be put together in two weeks, but that it is an enormous task.

"The main problem, in my opinion, is a lack of understanding of the enormity of the project.

"However, I am more than optimistic. The only problem is that time is running out."

For example, Yermilin said senior personnel of the Russian grand prix were scheduled to travel to Spa, Monza and Singapore for specific training.

And FIA personnel were scheduled to travel to Sochi for crucial meetings regarding the race, including safety and medical procedures.

"But today," he said, "without a contract with the promoter, the Russian automobile federation formally has nothing to do with the grand prix of Russia," he said.

(GMM)

Sauber 'never close to bankruptcy' - Kaltenborn

Monisha Kaltenborn has denied Sauber was ever close to "bankruptcy".

Having admitted it was having trouble paying increasingly impatient suppliers, the Swiss team recently announced new partnerships with Russian entities that many in the media described as a 'rescue deal'.

But team boss Kaltenborn insisted: "We were never close to bankruptcy.

"We have been through difficult times in the past, and know how to survive.

"We also had other options, but we realised that this was the best one for the team to have a long-term future," she is quoted by tio.ch.

(GMM)

Pirelli wants another 1000km team tyre test Aug.4 (GMM) Paul Hembery has admitted he would like to organise another 1000 kilometre tyre test, although the last one with Mercedes' 2013 car was highly controversial.

Indeed, F1's official supplier and the Brackley based team were officially reprimanded for the Barcelona session.

But if the FIA's clarified guidelines are followed, Pirelli's contract with the sport actually permits tyre tests with individual teams, and motor sport boss Hembery admitted he is keen to organise another.

Despite the controversy, and the fact Mercedes was penalised by having to sit out the recent Silverstone test, Hembery called that 1000km session "the best we've ever done".

"That's why we want more of it," he told Germany's Auto Bild.

"Maybe we'll do another 1000km test with a 2011 car," said Hembery. "At the end of the year we would also like to do one or two tests with a 2013 car -- one in Brazil and a rain test at Le Castellet."

It is yet another clear indication that, although not entirely certain, Pirelli will be staying in F1 beyond the end of its rapidly-expiring 2013 contract.

But amid the delay in getting a new deal signed, the normal September 1 deadline for revealing the following year's full tyre specification to the teams will blow out.

"We will inform the teams on October 1," said Hembery, revealing that the deadline has been extended.

Pirelli is tipped to produce wider rears for the high-torque V6 engines next year, but otherwise Hembery has hinted that the construction and compounds will be much more conservative than the controversial 2013 tyres.

TMR Comments

CAZZO | 04 Aug 2013 23:16

Kermit CAZZO | 05 Aug 2013 01:26

Most F1 teams are based in the UK. Do you honestly think the engine development and manufacturing is all done there too without oversight and input from Germany, France or Italy for the respective engine builders? You're not funny, nor clever.

CAZZO Kermit | 05 Aug 2013 03:06

Most F1 teams are based in the UK. Do you honestly think the engine development and manufacturing is all done there too without oversight and input from Germany, France or Italy for the respective engine builders? You're not funny, nor clever.

ALL that Benz do is supply the coin to Ilmor, but since Paul died i believe they [Benz] have purchased it or a majority, nothing more than chequbook engineering, its early days of Cosworth and Ford again!
Ferrari is fully Made In Italy, all ther others are "kit cars" in the true sense of the word
FORZA FERRARI! :)

CAZZO | 04 Aug 2013 23:17

Nando was *borderline* to being fired
Just ONE bad word Nando about Ferrari, and your gone, have no fear Prost got boned you will too
Maybe Ferrari are going to need 2x drivers in 2014?

Kermit CAZZO | 05 Aug 2013 01:26

Perhaps you could get Casey Stoner a drive again?

Balthazaaaaargh Kermit | 05 Aug 2013 02:39

hahahahaha

CAZZO Kermit | 05 Aug 2013 03:08

Perhaps you could get Casey Stoner a drive again?

They *may* have offered him the ride, but he didnt bite, they are going with Cal and Dovi in 2014
Casey *could* easily get Dannys ride if he wants it, maybe he is having fun fishing and V8 SuperCars for now, he has time, let him get bored and burn more of his coin he *may* return to MotoGP

FrugalOne Kermit | 07 Aug 2013 10:41

Perhaps you could get Casey Stoner a drive again?

Sylvain G is in awe od Stoner:
"We had his data available to us and I remember looking at it and thinking ''F**king hell, this guy is entering every corner like he doesn't want to get out'. He was doing things on the bike that you wouldn't normally do"
http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/interview/194304/2/exclusive_sylvain_guintoli_-_qa.html
I WAS RIGHT......AGAIN!!!!:):):):):):)

Harry | 05 Aug 2013 11:50

Cazzo,
if you were that clever or well connected, you wouldn't spend time in front of the computer typing troll comments.
You must be a very bored man, who finds joy in annoying people with his dribble.
Do some research before posting, would make it a little more bearable reading your commetns every now and then.